The International Cinephile Society has announced the nominees for the 11th ICS Awards. Abdellatif Kechiche's "Blue is the Warmest Color," the Coen Brothers' "Inside Llewyn Davis," Spike Jonze's "Her," and Steve McQueen's "12 Years a Slave" dominated the nominations with 7 nods each.

Winners of the 11th ICS Awards will be announced on February 23, 2014.

BEST PICTURE NOT RELEASED IN 2013• Child's Pose • The Congress • Gloria • Home from Home: Chronicle of a Vision • The Immigrant • Like Father, Like Son • Norte, The End of History • Only Lovers Left Alive • The Rendez-Vous of Déjà-Vu • Snowpiercer • The Strange Little Cat • Stranger by the Lake • Stray Dogs • Tom at the Farm • Young & Beautiful

The Cinema Audio Society has announced the nominees for the 50th Annual CAS Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for 2013. Winners will be revealed on February 22nd in the Crystal Ballroom of the Millennium Biltmore Hotel. The CAS Career Achievement Award will be given to Re-recording Mixer Andy Nelson.

First-time feature film director, Hannah Espia, was elated when I caught up with her! My fellow Filipino was visiting Palm Springs for the annual Film Festival where her film, “Transit,” was making its North American Premiere. I interviewed Miss Espia, alongside her producer, Paul Soriano. The film is being helped by veteran Hollywood producer, Dean Devlin (“Independence Day,” “Godzilla”), reach more audience. Because truthfully, “Transit” is so good, it simply needs to be viewed! “Transit” was Philippines’ submission to the Academy Awards for the Best Foreign Language film category.

Here's the interview/review that appeared on ANC in the Philippines:

Here's what appeared on The Filipino Channel's (TFC) Balitang America:

My fun interview with New Zealand director Max Currie for his art-house drama “Everything We Loved” which had its North American premiere at the 2014 Palm Springs International Film Festival. The film is beautifully shot even though the subject is dark and haunting. Take a look at my fun interview with the first time feature film director.

Here's my raw, uncut interview with the director:

And this is the one that appeared on the NBC affiliate in Palm Springs and my home, KMIR:

This is Ms. Noujaim’s third DGA Award nomination. She won the DGA Award for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Documentary for Startup.com in 2001 (together with Chris Hegedus) and was also nominated in this category in 2004 for Control Room.